Posted by
Tim Busovsky on Wednesday, April 25, 2007 6:07:03 PM
Anthropogenic Global Warming. The War on Terror. The Kennedy Assassination. September 11th. What do all of these broad topics and events have in common? To the average observer, there isn't too much that could link these four items together. However, with the progression of modern politics, these four items have a lot in common. They are untapped sources of political power in their respective times. They all feed the fear of that which is unknown.
The fear of these unknowns are everywhere. There are phrases that surround our lives that we've instinctively internalized and unconsciously recognize as full, undoubted truths. Global Warming can potentially wipe out a large portion of life on Earth. It is urgent that we sharply cut carbon emissions and slow down deforestation. Terrorism will destroy the free world if immediate action is not taken. It is urgent that the military takes the fight to the terrorists rather than the terrorists bringing the fight to domestic soil. John F. Kennedy was a man of epic proportions, becoming the youngest man ever elected to the Presidency. Because of this, a conspiracy had to exist in order to assassinate him. It simply could not have been committed by a single person from a book depository building. September 11th seems but a vague memory to many people. Watching the airliners topple the World Trade Center towers and destroy a wing of the Pentagon seemed to be a highly unlikely event in hindsight. Did you know that steel melts at a temperature higher than the temperature which jet fuel burns? There must be a bigger explanation and more people responsible than simply 19 highjackers!
The hype and hysteria that is vented out through various sources is the critical downfall of our society and political system. Claims of the disastrous consequences if action is not taken regarding Global Warming and Terrorism, as well as all conspiracy theories surrounding the Kennedy assassination as well as 9-11 are examples of how big events require an even bigger explanation of their existence. The sense of urgency that is felt by most people regarding Global Warming and Terrorism is carefully placed there by politicians and bureaucrats. Without urgency what are we looking forward to? What are we resolving? What is the next step in human progression?
The fear that ensues as a result of urgency is troubling as it forces certain perspectives on people in times when logic points one way, but those in power are point another. For instance, after September 11th, it was logical for people to want to seek retribution for those unlawful, unjust, and unethical actions that were committed. However, is it logical to allow our fear of another September 11th take hold of both our Federal domestic and foreign policies? Using fear and urgency as a guide to action is perhaps the most illogical activity that is actively pursued promoted by politicians. And, when one listens and picks apart their words, politicians are in constant pursuit of the next threat. Some have made it environmental issues. Some have made it terrorism. Some, government.
How then, might you ask, can people get away with selling a particular issue off as more urgent than it really is? The answer is simple. Referring back to Kennedy's assassination and even the events of September 11th, people seek to answer events on the global stage with causes on the global stage. For instance, it is perplexing to many people that Lee Harvey Oswald could have acted alone in the assassination of Kennedy. One man couldn't bring down the American President. Because of Kennedy's importance as a politician on the global scale, a welder from Dallas, Texas could not be the one responsible for the President's death. Likewise, the images that appeared on September 11th painted a picture of conspiracy to many people. How could 19 men topple two 110 story towers, crash four planes, and murder over 3,000 people in a single day within hours? The answers that many people seek, particularly from such sites as 911truth.org, are attempting to explain a large event with equally proportioned causes. Humans simply have difficulty accepting a simple explanation for a complicated question.
Therefore, we seek the answers to all of life's questions, it is important to step back and answer a question truthfully rather than through our instinct. Global Warming isn't going to end the world, Terrorism isn't going to topple freedom, Kennedy was assassinated by Lee Harvey Oswald, and September 11th was not caused by the government. These issues are important, but they don't require the Armageddon type urgency in order to topple oppression and hail freedom around the globe.